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Container Gardening

transplanting into soil

9 years ago

I'm seriously considering transplanting several small maples that I've been growing in gritty mix in containers into my garden. I last root pruned them two years ago. The trees are Japanese maples and have reached 30".

I'd appreciate any suggestions regarding this process, such as:
When would be the best time to prune branches and plant in the ground? Should the trees be root pruned before planting? Can I use Foliage Pro once they're in the ground or should I switch to a slow release fertilizer (Osmocote, etc.)? Any special sun or watering considerations while they're adjusting?
Feel free to add any information you feel would be helpful!!!

Thanks.

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Comment (1)

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
9 years ago
Hope that the frost is gone from the ground while the plants are still quiescent. Quiescence is the stage after true dormancy - after the plant's chill requirement has been met, but the plant hasn't yet been stimulated to growth by warm temps. That's the time to bare-root, correct any existing or developing root issues, and plant out. You CAN use FP fertilizer, but it's likely you won't need any (fertilizer at all). Jap maples are pretty good at gleaning a living from soils that aren't the richest. Be sure to backfill the planting hole with native soil.

Good luck!

Al
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